Toothbrush with safety device

ABSTRACT

A toothbrush with a safety device includes a brush body and an annular spacer. The brush body includes a bristle portion with a plurality of bristles and a handle portion contiguous to the bristle portion. The annular spacer is flared and includes a smaller end and larger end having a diameter greater than that of the smaller end. The smaller end of the spacer is tightly mounted around the handle portion below the bristle portion. The annular spacer avoids the toothbrush from being swallowed and prevents spit and bubbles generated during brushing from coming into contact with a user&#39;s hand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a toothbrush and, more particularly, to a toothbrush for cleaning human teeth.

2. Description of the Related Art

A typical toothbrush includes a handle portion for gripping and a bristle portion having a plurality of bristles mounted thereon. The bristle portion and the handle portion are substantially of the same diameter such that the user's mouth or throat may be inadvertently injured during brushing. Furthermore, toothbrushes for children have a small diameter and, thus, might be inadvertently swallowed by users, leading to potential injury to the users. Spit and bubbles generated during brushing are liable to flow along the handle portion and, thus, dirty the user's hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush with a safety device to solve the above problems. The toothbrush in accordance with the present invention includes a brush body and an annular spacer. The brush body includes a bristle portion and a handle portion. The annular conic spacer includes a smaller end tightly mounted around on the handle portion below the bristle portion. The annular spacer avoids the toothbrush from being swallowed and prevents spit and bubbles generated during brushing from coming into contact with a user's hand.

Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush with a safety device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the toothbrush in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a toothbrush in accordance with the present invention includes a brush body 1 and an annular spacer 2. The brush body 1 includes a bristle portion 11 having a plurality of bristles 111. The brush body 1 further includes a handle portion 12 interconnected with the bristle portion 11. The annular spacer 2 is made of soft material such as rubber to form a substantially flared structure. The annular spacer 2 may be integrally formed with the brush body 1. Furthermore, the annular spacer 2 includes a smaller end 21 and a larger end 22 having a diameter greater than that of the smaller end 21. The smaller end 21 is tightly mounted around the handle portion 12 below the bristle portion 11 in an appropriate position.

The diameter of the larger end 22 of the spacer 2 is significantly greater than that of the bristle portion 11 and the handle portion 12, preventing the toothbrush from being inadvertently swallowed. Furthermore, the length of the brush body 1 in the mouth of a user is in a safe range due to provision of the spacer 2. The smaller end 21 is tightly mounted around the handle portion 12 below the bristle portion 11 and, thus, forms a funnel-like compartment between the spacer 2 and the brush body 1 for receiving spit and bubbles generated during brushing, keeping the user's hand clean.

Although a specific embodiment has been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the teachings of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims. 

1. A toothbrush with a safety device, the toothbrush comprising a brush body and an annular spacer, with the brush body including a bristle portion with a plurality of bristles and a handle portion contiguous to the bristle portion, with the annular spacer being flared and including a smaller end and larger end having a diameter greater than that of the smaller end, with the smaller end of the spacer being tightly mounted around the handle portion below the bristle portion.
 2. The toothbrush with a safety device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular spacer is integrally formed with the brush body. 